Max 1,
From my recollection 90% of your 'experienced, committed people' were not such.
Some of the reasons that they were in the off-line jobs were
(a) They wanted to get off shift work
(b) They wanted to get off control duties
(c) They were interested in 'techo' or procedural stuff
(d) They wanted to 'manage' and wield power
(e) They were drafted
(f) They were marginal, if not dangerous, in the field.
(g) They were medically unfit to exercise a licence.
Note that I said 90% - there were a few good ones
The composite salary was introduced to widen the pool and hopefully entice some of the 'experienced, committed' and competent people out of the field and into the office.